Keegan said: “So ladies, I’m urging you to book in your smear, go and get it done and tell all your family and friends to get it done. It is so important and so easy.”

The post by the Our Girl star and former Coronation Street actress has been welcomed by her followers, with one writing: “@michkeegan I keep putting mine off for years but your message has hit home, so thank you and I’m booking an appointment with my doctor tomorrow, well done hun for raising awareness.

Another wrote: “As a practice nurse, well done on promoting cervical screening Michelle. It’s vitally important to saving women’s lives! Thank you x”